Mumbai: You can use Elphinstone bridge from tonight
It just took 4-months for the Indian Army to renovate the Elphinstone bridge and throw it open for public. Railway minister Piyush Goyal and CM Devendra Fadnavis traveled to Parel in a train to inaugurate the bridge, bringing joy to commuters and new-found respect for defense personnel. The project cost Rs. 8crore, of which ex-cricketer Sachin Tendulkar sanctioned Rs. 2 crore from MP fund.
Bridge closed after September stampede
The bridge was closed for public access after a stampede killed 23 people and injured 39 in September 2017. The bridge is pivotal as it connects Elphinstone Road and Parel stations, both of which see over 3-lakh commuters. Notably, a flower trader decorated the whole bridge as a tribute to the lost lives. The Army has also built bridges at Currey Road and Ambivli.
Army's Bombay Sappers took just 117 days, against Railway's 1-yr
The Army's Corps of Engineers Bombay Sappers finished building the 73.1-m long and 3.65-m wide Elphinstone Road station foot over bridge in a record 117 days. Normally, Railways require at least a year to finish constructing a bridge. That's why the Army was required here, as both the stations are extremely busy ones. 400 trains stop at Elphinstone station while 300 stop at Parel.
